6 Reasons to Visit Disneyland in Summer 2026 (Especially for Families)
If this is the year you’re considering a visit to Disneyland Resort, you’ve chosen wisely! There’s a lot in the works at the Happiest Place on Earth, and many of these new offerings will debut in the coming days and weeks leading up to what will be an exciting summer season.
This summer is a great time for families to visit, with the highly-anticipated arrival of Bluey in a brand-new song and dance show perfect for little ones. In addition to all of the classic attractions, dining, and shopping available at Disneyland, here are six reasons why you’ll want to prioritize a visit this summer!
“Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” debuts at Fantasyland Theatre
Get ready to dance! “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!,” a new interactive show for little ones, debuts at Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park on March 22. This will be Bluey and Bingo’s first time ever appearing at a Disney theme park! While Bluey and Bingo arrive in time for spring, there is currently no end date announced. I would expect this to be a very popular offering for families visiting Disneyland with young children this summer!
Fantasyland Theatre has transformed into a fun fair taking place at Bluey’s school. Two rotating shows bring comedic performers and musicians together to play popular games and cheeky dance moves from the hit Disney+ series.
“We drew inspiration from so many iconic ‘Bluey’ moments and themes, and we wanted to pack as many details as we could into this experience,” says Jennifer Magill, Executive Producer, Disney Live Entertainment. “By transforming Fantasyland Theatre into an immersive space full of activities, we found ways to highlight memorable moments that all ages and everyone in the family will enjoy.”
The show will have several performances throughout the day. Outside of the show, kids can enjoy engaging activities and picture-perfect photo ops inspired by the show.
Families can check Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app for each day’s entertainment schedule. Even when a show is not happening, guests are welcome to explore the venue for nonstop fun. Seating is not required for “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” and families are welcome to explore the space at their leisure.
That’s not all! To celebrate the arrival of “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!,” the theater’s neighboring Troubadour Tavern will debut a new menu with Bluey-themed food and beverage items inspired by the show. Troubadour Tavern is known for its loaded baked potatoes, and that trend continues with a new version called the Pizza Girls Baked Potato, made with pepperoni, sausage, bacon bits, marinara, mozzarella, alfredo sauce, and parmesan herb topper.
Bluey-inspired menu items you can grab at Troubadour Tavern include Poffertjes! Poffertjes!, a Magic “Asparagus” Pretzel, and Pavlova Parfait.
For families looking for a real deal on Disneyland dining, Troubadour Tavern will also offer a new kids meal combo available for $5.99.
Limited-time merchandise will also be available for purchase at Disneyland to coincide with “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!.”
READ MORE: A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND RESORT IN 2026
Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration continues
If you missed Disneyland’s big birthday party last year, don’t fret! Disneyland may have officially celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025, but the party keeps on going through summer 2026. The 70th anniversary celebration concludes on August 9, giving guests the majority of the summer season to enjoy the festivities.
This includes the nighttime spectacular made just for the 70th anniversary, “World of Color Happiness!” showing at California Adventure, as well as “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” performing at Disneyland Park.
The 70th anniversary celebration also included the debut of Walt Disney — A Magical Life, featuring the first-ever Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney himself. The show plays in rotation with Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln at the Main Street Opera House.
Be sure to head to Disneyland Resort before August 9 if you want one final opportunity to celebrate its 70th anniversary!
READ MORE: DISNEYLAND’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PREVIEW
Kids tickets cost just $50 this summer
Another reason families in particular will love a visit to Disneyland Resort this summer is the opportunity to save on kids tickets! For a limited time, a 1-Day, Park Hopper kids’ tickets cost just $50.
This offer is valid for visits from May 22 through September 7, for kids ages 3-9. Visiting for a longer stretch of time? There are lengthier Kids’ Summer Ticket Offers that breaks down to just $50 a day, with a 2-Day Park Hopper ticket available for $100 and a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket available for $150. The same dates apply to those tickets.
READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND’S LIGHTNING LANE SYSTEM
Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run debuts new changes
Families that can’t get enough Star Wars will be happy to know that several changes are in the works at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that you’ll want to check out this summer. As of April 29, 2026, you’ll be able to spot Original Trilogy characters roaming in Galaxy’s Edge, including Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker.
This will bring about additional changes that will arrive in time for the summer season, including John Williams’ iconic score playing in the land as well as new story details appearing in locations like Oga’s Cantina and Dock Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.
Perhaps the biggest change of all is over on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, where a new storyline and new missions will arrive in time for the opening of the upcoming film The Mandalorian and Grogu. Guests will now embark to new destinations on Smugglers Run, including Bespin, Coruscant, and the Death Star wreckage near Endor.
Guests will join forces with The Mandalorian on these new missions, while also looking after Grogu as part of some of the new missions and responsibilities while onboard.
Be among the first to experience these latest changes at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when you visit Disneyland Resort this summer!
READ MORE: MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE AT DISNEYLAND
Soarin’ Across America arrives for America 250
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run isn’t the only Disneyland Resort attraction getting major changes this year! A brand-new version of Soarin’ will arrive at Disney California Adventure on July 2: Soarin’ Across America.
This “limited-time itinerary” will highlight the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes. In total, we’ll see over a dozen locations featured in this new ride sequence. This new version of Soarin’ arrives just in time for the Fourth of July, which this year commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States. As part of the America 250 offerings, Disneyland will have a special fireworks broadcast (along with Walt Disney World).
July 4th is always a popular holiday at Disneyland Resort, but it will be even more special this summer with all of the limited-time America 250 offerings. If you’ve been wondering where you want to celebrate this summer, Disneyland is a great option!
READ MORE: WHAT’S IN STORE AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE IN 2026
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns to Anaheim
Towards the end of the summer season, Disneyland Resort will be the place to be for Disney’s biggest fans as D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns to Anaheim. The biennial expo event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center, perfectly situated in close proximity to Disneyland Resort if you, like me, are considering the ultimate Disneyland vacation this summer.
This weekend is when Disney reveals its biggest announcements of the year. It’s also a time for fans to gather and celebrate the past, present, and future of the Disney parks, studios, and other properties. Best of all, Disney’s most passionate fans are in attendance to celebrate it all! Tickets for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event go on sale in early April.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event takes place from August 14 through 16. On August 13, D23 Day returns to Disneyland with day-long offerings. In 2024, this included complimentary Mickey Ears, commemorative park maps, special photo ops, and more.
If you’re as big of a Disney fan as I am, then you probably already had summer 2026 on your radar as a time to plan a Disneyland vacation. No matter when your family chooses to visit this summer, you’ll have exciting offerings to take advantage of, whether it’s “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” or D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Be sure to follow along for more of the latest news and coverage from Disneyland Resort.
READ MORE: TIMELINE OF CHANGES COMING TO DISNEYLAND RESORT AND BEYOND
